Case study: A Circular Design Studio
High-end design objects from waste A Circular Design Studio has developed a way of working with recycled plastic to create handcrafted design objects. Contributor – A Circular Design Studio
Traditionally, plastic production is a closed process, based on a large, expensive and complex machinery, where products are made using pre-designed moulds and virgin plastic. It is not a satisfactory process for numerous reasons: it is very expensive to build a factory, moulds are extremely inflexible, and expensive, and it promotes a mass production culture that should not be part of a sustainable future. A Circular Design Studio has developed a new way of working with 100% recycled plastic that offers a better solution. Their open process production allows them to mould larger sheets of 100% recycled plastic, manipulate aesthetics and create a base material that has a look, feel and property similar to stone. The material can be used almost exactly as if it was wood, which allows them to use traditional carpentry joints and concepts within production, taking the recycled material from waste to high-end design product. Using it, they have created seven different, handcrafted design objects, made out of 100% recycled plastic. The objects can all go into a standard recycling system at the end of their lives, anywhere in the world. All products are sold with a free swap option, allowing customers to swap products for free with other products of the same value; the company also operates a buy-back scheme.
Creativity as a driver for green transition
© Cirkelbroen (2015) - Olafur Eliasson. Photographer: Sophia Bergholm
Photo: Kasper Holm Jensen
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